Some time passed.
Eris and Roxy safely gave birth to their children. Both of them were girls. Roxy’s daughter was named Lily and Eris’s daughter was named Christina. With this, we now had 4 daughters and 2 sons.
Our house had become a little cramped. It was about time we gave some thought to remodelling while taking family planning into consideration.
Furthermore, Lucy was now 7 years old.
Now that she was 7, she could be called a first-year student studying in a primary school. The primary school was a place where kids of the same age learned about the fundamental knowledge that was essential for survival while co-habitating with other students.
Of course, it would be beneficial if that knowledge was taught by the parents themselves.
The most important keyword in a school was communal life.
Humans are beings who lived in groups. Most humans can’t live alone. They are beings who live together while helping each other, loving each other and getting into fights from time to time. It’s possible that those with the will to stay alone are out there, but they are probably a minority.
A school is a place where one learns how to make colleagues or friends, how to interact with them and how fights occur.
Nevertheless, a primary-school-like system didn’t exist in this Ranoa Kingdom. It should be obvious because there was no compulsory education. Here, a school was considered to be a place where people go if they wanted to go.
Even so, I thought that there was a need to go to school. Part of the reason was that I dropped out of high school in my previous life, but as for this life, I did learn a lot of things in the school of this world too.
I got along with Zanoba, met with Cliff, Badigadi, Nanahoshi, Ariel… And then married Sylphy.
There was no doubt that it was because of my daily attendance to Ranoa Magic University that my human relations were now in such abundance.
As such, I thought that there was a need to go to school, to let them go.
As such, during last year’s family council, that proposal was approved by more than half the members. Sylphy, Roxy and Lilya were in agreement. Even though Eris said “There’s not really any need to go”, she didn’t strongly oppose it.
Thus, it was decided that our children would start attending the University when they became 7. Though the other students enrolling wouldn’t necessarily be in the same age group, it was decided with the thought that it would be beneficial to their future.
And today was Lucy’s first day attending school. From here on out, for 7 years, or possibly even more if she repeated a year or two, this was the very first day of her school which she would be attending for a very long time.
“Is there anything that you’ve forgotten, Lucy?”
“Nope!”
Lucy, wearing her oversized uniform and carrying a bag too big for her, was now standing in front of the entranceway. Everything that she had on was brand new. The beginner’s staff and the robe contained within the bag, magic textbooks, even the lunch box, everything was new. And it seemed that Lucy, with all her new things, was happily grinning while looking at herself in the mirror.
As a result of that, she was somewhat careless, even to my words. Well, she did check those out many times over yesterday night, and there weren’t that many belongings to begin with. So I guess it should be fine.
But, that, isn’t she forgetting that? Then shouldn’t it be fine to remind her?
“Do you have your handkerchief?”
“It’s in my pocket!”
“Pencil case?”
“It’s in my bag!”
“Lunch box?”
“It’s in my bag!”
“My goodbye kiss?”
“That’s a no!”
That’s a no!?
Impossible, that can’t be…
Nevermind.
Um… was there something else? Something which was easily forgotten. Like future dreams, aspirations, the truth…
“Rudy, it’s gonna be fine.”
As I pondered, Sylphy came and patted on my back.
“Lucy is already a grown up, so it’s fine.”
Grown up.
She had certainly grown up. She was already 7 years old. Now that she was 7 she could do various things and do it alone.
“Papa, it’s gonna be fine! I’m gonna work hard!”
Lucy said while clenching her fist. That gesture was brave, lovely and very worrying. If I was a kidnapper and looked at something like this, I would immediately steal her away.
Although she had grown up, she still had some way to go.
“Lucy, don’t follow any strangers no matter what they say, okay?”
“Okay!”
“If they forcefully try to take you away then shout out my name as loud as you can, okay?”
“Okay!”
“If they covered up your mouth and said that they’ll kill you if you make a noise then ask them to read the letter I’ve prepared, okay?”
“Okaaay!”
Incidentally, I’ve written quite a bit for the kidnapper. I’ve written just whose subordinate I am and what kind of people I have connections with. I’ve also written just what would happen if Lucy were to be hurt. It’s possible that they might not be literate, but I’ve made necessary arrangements with the slave traders and asked them to socially lynch those who seem like they would kidnap my children. Those who would kidnap my children would be ostracised.
Still, cause for concern was something that was common. Unpredictable situations could exist in any amount. I couldn’t help but get worried sick that Lucy might get dragged into something like that.
All of that happened about 1 hour ago.
“And now I’m here.”
“...”
“I mean, I know that Sylphy is right. Even I─ even Sylphy was able to grow because we left our house. That’s unmistakably right.”
I was expressing my idle complaints. I had consented. If that’s what Sylphy had decided then I had to abide by that too. Luckily, there were many acquaintances in the Magic University and danger was low as well. I had also heard that student order had improved quite a bit because of Norn’s Presidency. The mercenary group led by Aisha had become quite big due to which the whole town’s order had improved as well.
Yet, I was still worried. I had this indescribable fuzzy feeling.
“But… you know.
Lucy is still 7 years old. She’s so small yet has to go to school alone… that’s just…
Well, I mean it’s true that I went to Eris’s place when I was 7 and started exploring around my village from age 5 but… But I could at least see her off, right?
Orsted-sama, what do you think?”
“...”
Orsted had a grim face. A face which questioned whether this matter was related to work or not.
I might’ve mistaken him as someone to consult with. When given considerable thought I realised that he was still my boss. Not a person who should be listening to my idle complaints.
If the idle talk was related to Hitogami then it might be fine but I guess lodging complaints about my family matters was not a good idea.
Even Orsted might not know how to answer if he was suddenly asked about something like this. And Lucy was someone who was not within Orsted’s field of knowledge…
I just thought that Orsted might understand somehow.
This unbearable feeling of mine!
“...”
As I was lost in thought, Orsted stood up. He could also be seen perking up his shoulders.
Of course, I’d expect this as I’ve associated myself with Orsted for a long time. I knew that he wouldn’t get angry at something like this.
He was not angry at all. It took a considerable amount of effort to anger him.
“You are foolish.”
Huh? He got angry?
He’s not angry, right? He looks angry. That’s weird. I’m being scolded.
“...Use this.”
The thing Orsted handed over to me was the black helmet. The spare curse reduction helmet.
“...”
What am I supposed to with this?
“You’re not worried about your daughter, you just want to go and see her, don’t you?”
“!”
I see, that’s right!
I just want to go and see her. It’s not that I’m worried about Lucy or not or anything. No, obviously, that’s one reason as well, but I just want to see her introducing herself in the classroom, quickly raising her hand trying to answer a question, tip-toeing in the library to get a book, and things like that.
There was no parent’s day in Magic University. I wanted to go and see Norn as well but couldn’t. I wanted to watch Lucy at least.
That wish of mine was very big!
“B-but, if I go and see her then Sylphy would get angry.”
“...”
When I said that, Orsted silently took off his coat. And then, put it on my shoulder. As if to say “Use this too”. Just what am I supposed to do with the helmet and this coat?
I left the office in Dragon God style.
It was a mighty fine weather outside. Fine weather appropriate for Lucy’s first day at school. And I somehow felt stronger, probably because I was wearing these clothes.
Is this how a person feels who swaggers about under borrowed authority? I feel like I could make even the North God dance around my pinky.
“Orsted-sama, are you about to leave?”
“...!”
As I was thinking that, I was suddenly called out from the back of the office. When I looked around, I could see a young boy holding a large sword.
Aleksander Ryback. It was North God Kalman the Third.
Don’t tell me, did he hear my thoughts? Nah, that’s not it.
I feel like he’s cleaned himself up a bit, but it’s kind of like, only at the level of feeling stronger after watching Rocky.
That so-called ‘movie motivation.’
“Where might you be heading today, Orsted-sama? Shall I accompany you?”
“...?”
For a moment I thought he was mocking me.
However, Alek’s eyes were clear in all respects and his tone was sincere.
“Ah, thank you very much for the other day. To think that the North God Style four foot form would have such an advantage…
I never thought that you would be so knowledgeable about the North God style. It’s clear to me just how inexperienced I currently am. Now that I recall myself during the Battle of Biheiril, I might die from embarrassment.”
Don’t tell me he hasn’t yet realised that I’m not Orsted? No, that can’t be.
Alek had been at Orsted’s side constantly these days. He even lived in one of the basement rooms of the office. He had taken the role like that of a watchdog of Orsted. It would be troublesome if the watchdog mistook his master for someone else.
“Have you not realised yet?”
“What have I not realised!?”
When Aleksander entered the office, his eyes met with the receptionist named Faria Steer. While looking at Aleksander and pondering whether she should ask or not, she finally opened her lips after a moment of hesitation.
“Excuse me, Aleksander-sama.”
“What is it, Faria-san? I’ll be going to find out this correct answer that lies in the conference room so please make it short.”
“Rudeus-sama had just now left the premises wearing Orsted-sama’s clothing but… does he intend to do something?”
Upon hearing that, Aleksander made a very surprised face.
“Eh… Rudeus-sama wearing Orsted-sama’s clothes… !?”
Aleksander couldn’t even think about doing something like that. Imitating Orsted’s clothing style was something which was absolutely dreadful to him.
And at the same time, he gulped down his own saliva. The reason why Rudeus was wearing Orsted’s clothes didn’t even require him to think that much. He thought that something needed to be done which could only work with Orsted’s clothes.
Possibly a decoy or something. He thought that Rudeus intended to lure the enemy out while in disguise as Orsted and arrest the enemy. In the meantime, Orsted would be able to achieve an objective.
Which meant that the enemy was so strong that one couldn’t fight the said enemy without Orsted. For example, one of the overlooked World Powers, Technique God or someone who Aleksander had unpleasant memories with, Death God Randolf. Or one of the Demon Slaying Three Heroes, Armored Dragon King Perugius Dola or possibly North God Kalman the Second, Alek’s father, Alex.
Either way, Rudeus had enough potential alone. It was possible that victory could be assured if he were to equip the Magic Armor but then he wouldn’t be able to accomplish his job as a decoy.
Even Aleksander knew about Rudeus’ bravery. The fearless Rudeus.
Aleksander knew that Rudeus’ combat power was inferior to his. However, those movements he saw in Biheiril Kingdom still remained in his memory vividly. That power to face an enemy far stronger than yourself with simple honesty. That was something Aleksander knew well.
It was courage. Rudeus was a hero who had been acknowledged by Atoferatofe herself.
And then, he realised, that this was the correct answer.
“Faria-san, please keep that matter confidential.”
“Y-yes…”
Faria Steer’s neck inclination was gradually coming up to its regular position but Alek paid it no heed and put his hand on the door to the conference room.
He prayed that he would be granted the honor by Orsted to fight alongside that hero someday. While burying those feelings deep within his heart he entered the room.
Though it was only a few minutes after that Alek would ask about the correct answer from Orsted himself.
Next time, a shocking development where a man with a full-faced helmet is seen chasing after 7-year-old girls!
―○●○―
1. "Kore ga... Atashi..." Rudy is saying ''atashi'' here, an extremely feminine way to refer to one''s self. It''s a common line for a girl who''s just gotten a makeover.